A Five-Month Pineapple and Banana Campaign Inspiring Family, Friendship, and Unity

Dole Food Company is preparing to launch a multi-faceted campaign featuring Disney’s Stitch to inspire kindness, love, and affection among Americans this year.

The promotion, which runs from April 2 through July 31, 2025, will highlight both bananas and pineapples as key symbols of hospitality and togetherness.

Planned activities include in-store displays, digital content, social media engagement, and a variety of creative downloads, recipes, and gathering ideas to help families and friends across the country celebrate the “Spirit of ‘Ohana.”

The company aims to reinforce how tropical fruit, and specifically pineapples, can represent warmth and generosity a concept that aligns with long-standing hospitality traditions.

This initiative expands upon the notion of ‘Ohana, a Hawaiian term that traditionally conveys an inclusive sense of family beyond immediate relatives to include friends, neighbors, and others within a close-knit community.

In the Islands, ‘Ohana can be seen in large gatherings where people come together in celebration of unity and support.

To bring this theme to life in a fun and relatable way, Disney’s Stitch was chosen for his playful and endearing qualities, recognized by fans of all ages as the alien who cherishes his makeshift family.

Incorporating this beloved character into Dole’s outreach underscores the company’s desire to spread a message of caring and unity to households throughout North America.

“’Ohana’ is a Hawaiian word that means family and covers not just blood or adopted relatives but close friends, neighbors and associates. On the Islands, it connotes a spirit of love, unity, loyalty and sharing and it’s not uncommon to see large groups of Hawaiians gathering for cookouts or block parties as a celebration of Ohana.”

William Goldfield, Dole’s Director of Communications

This perspective helps define why Dole chose Stitch as a campaign focal point, blending cherished family themes with a charming character who naturally invites people to connect and celebrate together.

“Being able to promulgate these richly welcoming themes in connection with one of Disney’s most beloved characters that embodies an expanded definition of family seems like a natural,” Goldfield added.

From Dole’s perspective, the opportunity to showcase bananas, pineapples, and other produce alongside a pop-culture icon is more than a simple branding exercise.

The company is positioning tropical fruits as emblems of wellness, joy, and positive living, promoting healthy behaviors and offering practical ways for families to enjoy fresh produce during the warm months.

In-store shoppers throughout the United States and Canada may already notice the campaign’s initial rollout, featuring millions of DOLE Tropical Gold Pineapple hangtags and DOLE Banana stickers adorned with Disney’s Stitch.

This preview serves as an early introduction, alerting consumers to the upcoming wave of online content and shopping resources.

The “Spirit of ‘Ohana” program also features a robust social media strategy.

Dedicated posts on Dole’s Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest channels are intended to expand awareness of the campaign and showcase how families can incorporate kindness themes into their everyday routines.

These posts will guide users to the dedicated webpage, where content such as character-inspired recipe ideas, do-it-yourself projects, and educational videos awaits.

By tying cooking, gathering, and entertainment to the concept of ‘Ohana, Dole hopes to foster a sense of belonging and encourage families to extend hospitality in creative ways.

Over the coming months, Dole plans to reveal additional elements of the campaign, including ways that shoppers can offer their own versions of ‘Ohana to loved ones, neighbors, or even strangers in need of support and friendship.

In-store promotions and point-of-sale materials will help reinforce these messages, encouraging consumers to connect their fruit purchases with broader acts of kindness.

Dole’s collaboration with retailers underscores its commitment to providing hands-on experiences that go beyond typical advertising, aiming to spark genuine moments of togetherness.